Volume 3, Number 3 :: June 2012 Springing into nature!

The Cuplet Fern Chapter Board set a 2012 chapter goal to identify a local value-added program that promotes outdoor and nature activities for youth. The program chosen was Eco Camp, hosted by Seminole County Leisure Services, held at The Environmental Studies Center during winter and spring break and in the summer. The chapter sponsored two campers for the Spring Break Camp in March. Sisters Julielenet and Angelica Lynch 2012-13 BOARD were the recipients of the scholarships. President: Beth Jackson “The girls ended up being our Counselors In Training and did an amazing job,” said Lori Hartsock, Program Vice President: Sherry Williams Coordinator for Seminole County Greenways and Secretary: Natural Lands. “They helped set up and clean up for Vacant projects that the campers were doing, helped take Treasurer: photos during camp, and even created a Power Point presentation for the last day of camp with some of Susan Blount-Angermeier the photos taken during the week. Past President: Neta Villalobos-Bell “I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your group Chapter Representative: donating the two scholarships that allowed these Neta Villalobos-Bell girls to go to camp,” said Hartsock.“I know they had Director/Membership: a great time and the teachers truly appreciated all their help!” Graham Williams application and more information can be found on Pages 6 and 7. Please distribute this form to anyone Director: Vacant It was so successful the Chapter Board has voted to you know who might be interested. If you have any sponsor two more children for this summer. The questions, please call Neta at 407-302-7616. 2012-13 COMMITTEES Newsletter Editor/Social Media/Publicity: Shari King “Thank You” from Julielenet and Angelica [email protected] Webmaster: Charles Miller

Cuplet Fern Chapter Native Plant Society PO Box 150021 Altamonte Springs, FL 32715

MEETING LOCATION: Sanford Garden Club 200 Fairmont Drive Sanford, FL 32773 sanfordgardenclub.org Thank You: WELCOME NEW Thank you to Deborah CHAPTER BOARD Green, Cuplet Fern Although there were no “new” members elected to the Chapter Board Chapter Board at the May member meeting, the Board Member, (upper photo) positions have changed. Please welcome:

for presenting the April President: Beth Jackson Vice-President: Sherry Williams meeting about Why and Treasurer: Susan Angermeier How Plants and Insects Secretary:Vacant Membership: Graham Williams Depend on Each Other, Member at Large:Vacant Communications: Shari King and to Mike Martin Webmaster: Charles Miller Florida Forestry Chapter Rep: Neta Villalobos-Bell Service (lower photo) We are still seeking a Secretary and one Member at Large.

for presenting the May The Board meets monthly, Tuesday a week after the monthly meeting about Seminole member meeting, 6:30pm, in Altamonte Springs close to SR 436 and I-4. If you are interested in native plants and want to State Forest. (And help support the chapter mission, please call Neta at 407 302- 7616 or talk with any of your Board members about thanks to Charles participating. Thanks. Miller for the photos!) Work continues at Crystal Lake Preserve in Lake Mary

Left photo: Cuplet Fern Chapter members partner with photo: Neta Villalobos-Bell and Kermit Hunnicutt dig in lead organization Seminole Audubon Society. Right to install a point of interest post on the trails.

Frond Forum 2 June 2012 June Chapter Meeting July Chapter Meeting

& Field Trip Monday, July 9, 7 p.m. Sanford Garden Club Monday, June 11, 7 p.m. 200 Fairmont Drive, Sanford Sanford Garden Club 200 Fairmont Drive, Sanford PROGRAM :: Salvaging the Real Florida. Author Bill Belleville recounts eco-adventures in the backcountry of the Florida Keys, on the Suwannee River, in the swamps of the PROGRAM :: Natives in the Urban Landscape Miguel Garces, Wekiva, and in freshwater spring and cave systems around the ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance Account Manager in charge of the state. For more information on Bill Belleville and the program, upkeep of most of the common areas in Baldwin Park, the walk-able please see Page 4. community in Orlando, is our guest speaker. He will describe the process and challenges of landscaping zero size lots, community open JULY FIELD TRIP space, and downtown areas. (For more information on Baldwin Park, No field trip is planned due to the expected hot weather. please go to Page 8 to see a story excerpted from the May 2012 Baldwin Park Living community magazine.) Bill Belleville at a JUNE FIELD TRIP recent nature Saturday, June 16, 9 a.m. journaling workshop Baldwin Park held at Lake Harney Meet at Harbor Park, in the Village Center, near the fountain Wilderness Area. and Lake Baldwin (New Broad Street) Look for the story on the workshop in the Guided Walk through Baldwin Park Landscapes :: Miguel Garces, July 2012 Frond ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance Account Manager in charge of the Forum. (Photo courtesy of G.K. upkeep of most of the common areas in Baldwin Park, will guide a walk Sharman) through Baldwin Park’s natural landscapes, spotlighting the use of natives in the urban landscape. This is a great opportunity to learn from our guide and get ideas for your own yard.

IF YOU MISSED THIS FIELD TRIP, YOU MISSED A LOT!

This fellow was spotted on the May field trip to Seminole State Forest.

Look for more photos from this field trip and April and May events, as well as a calendar of upcoming meetings and field trips, and much more in a “special” July edition of FROND FORUM.

Frond Forum 3 June 2012 ‘Salvaging the Real FloRida’ Author to speak in July

Cuplet Fern Chapter, Florida Native Plant Society is pleased to host author Bill Belleville at their July 8 meeting.

“Salvaging the Real Florida” recounts author Bill Belleville's eco-adventures in the backcountry of the Florida Keys, on the Suwannee River, in the swamps of the Wekiva, and in freshwater spring and caves systems around the state.

Of Bill’s work, best-selling New York Times writer Carl Hiaasen has said: "Bill Belleville writes gorgeously and straight from the heart."

During the program, Bill will read from “Salvaging” and show nature photos to illustrate.

“Salvaging” was recently honored with the top award in the Literature-Natural History category from the National Outdoor Book Award foundation. Bill’s five other books include “Deep Cuba.” “River of Lakes,” and “Sunken Cities, Sacred Cenotes and Golden Sharks: Travels of a Water-bound Adventurer.” His book “Losing it All to Sprawl: How Progress Ate My Cracker Landscape” was named one overseas for the Discovery Channel, and has been a Writer in of the “best books” in the country by the National Library Journal Residence at USF’s graduate “Florida Studies Program.” He lectures in 2006. Bill has also contributed to nine anthologies, including "Best throughout the state on behalf of the Florida Humanities Council, Travel Writing” and more recently “Bartram’s Living Legacy:The He lives in Sanford. For more information, please visit Travels & the Nature of the South.” www.BillBelleville.com.

He’s scripted and co-produced documentaries for PBS, and with The regular month chapter meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Philippe Cousteau, produced a radio documentary for NPR’s “Living Sanford Garden Club, 200 Farimont Drive, in Sanford.The on Earth” on the manatees of Blue Spring. Bill’s traveled widely presentation is open to the public.

NOW AVAILABLE! Two styles of totes screen printed with the CUPLET FERN LOGO! ONLY $18

Frond Forum 4 June 2012 Another great conference! By Deborah Green Outgoing Chapter Representative

The Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) just completed another fantastically successful annual conference May 17-20 in Plant City, sponsored by the Suncoast and Hernando Chapters.

Due to work commitments, I was only able to attend for one half day, but I could see the excitement and great turnout.As I wrote last year, when our chapter was one of the hosts of the 2011 conference in Maitland, the conference is the heart of the FNPS. It's a time to go on field trips that can allow you to learn how others have landscaped their yards or what natives grow in what natural habitats. It's a time to renew friendships you have made on field trips from past conferences. It's a time to hear exciting keynote speakers and talks on a wide variety of native plant topics.

And perhaps best of all, it's a chance to purchase native plants from a dozen or so local native plant vendors. I already have all the common local native species in my yard, so I seek the rarer species in the conference plant sale.This year I focused on adding a few more species of ferns and Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa).

Yes the conference costs a bit - $75 per day before the early registration deadline this year, in part a fundraiser for the society - but if you love native plants, maybe you can prioritize it for next year. Next year's conference is again mid-May and this time in Jacksonville. I know I'll be there again. (Photo courtesy of the FNPS Facebook page.)

Lake Wales Ridge State Forest:The search for rare plants

By Beth Jackson and endangered plant species such Incoming Chapter as the scrub plum, pygmy fringe tree, President scrub blazing star, and bear grass.

On May 12, members from the Members of the various chapters Tarflower, Pine Lily, Heartland split into four groups so that we and Cuplet Fern native plant society chapters went in search of could survey more of the property, rare plant species in the Dry Prairie alas none of the groups found the habitat of the Lake Wales Ridge plants we were searching for that State Forest.We were searching for day but we did forge new friendships blue butterwort, yellow butterwort with fellow plant enthusiasts. Some and Calopogon multifloris. of the plants that our group Lake Wales Ridge State Forest is observed were Hypericum located in Polk County and is 26,563 fasciculatum, Sabatia grandiflora, acres in size. Some of the rare Polygala rugelii, Polygala lutea, and habitats that are found on the Forest the insectivorous sundew. include scrub, and dry prairie, rare animal species that can be found on the site include the Scrub jay, Sand A good time was had by all and we Skink and Scrub lizard. Plant hope to survey the tract in the fall enthusiast will be able to see rare during wildflower blooming season.

Frond Forum 5 June 2012

Frond Forum 7 June 2012 Great ’scapes Community wins award for use of Florida-Friendly Landscaping practices

By Shari King // Editor

26 Baldwin Park Living >>

aldwin Park recently applied for and won an award for the use of “environmentally sound landscape, Bwetland, preserve and lake management policies.” The award was given at the annual Florida Communities of Excel- lence Conference in March. The award represents the pinnacle of achievement for community associations in the state.

The award program is the first and only comprehensive, independent recognition pro- gram for the tens of thousands of community associations throughout Florida. For winning organizations, the designations are a point of pride for current residents and a powerful differ- entiator for communities seeking Above photo by Miguel Garces / Left photo by Shari King to attract new owners.

Florida-Friendly Landscaping the correct plant selection. during establishment are two of the main means using low-maintenance plants and considerations. Something to consider environmentally sustainable practices. The landscape architects at Glatting Jack- is that sites also evolve as time goes by The approach is designed to help com- son (now AECOM) were commissioned due to tree canopy growth, new exotic munities lower utility bills, improve the with the important task to select and pest establishment, water availability health and beauty of their landscape and design the landscape at Baldwin Park. and quality changes, etc. ValleyCrest contribute to preserving Florida’s natural Soil samples, plant exposure and water Landscape Maintenance has maintained environment. needs were taken into consideration to the landscape since it was turned over to make the right selection. An approved What follows is the information prepared the different associations within Baldwin plant list was compiled with species that for the award submission by resident Park. would thrive in the current conditions John Griffin along with Miguel Garces and adhere to the community design It’s very important for the crew to be in and Rob Maier from ValleyCrest Land- standards desired. tune with those changes and adapt the scape Maintenance. agronomic program and plant replace- ValleyCrest Landscape Development did ment recommendations when needed. Right plant, right place the installation. Correct planting and This is the foundation for long-term establishment is also very important for Water efficiently success. Baldwin Park, like any commu- the future sustainability of the landscape. All the irrigation in the common areas nity, has its own characteristics. It’s very Right depth and appropriate watering was professionally designed by Prevost important to be aware of them to make

INFO: There are also areas in Baldwin Park that are planted primarily with plants native to Florida, which further enhances the principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping. These areas include Mid Lakes Park and the areas surrounding Lake Baldwin. Cuplet Fern and Tarflower chapters of the Florida Native Plant Society (fnps.org) invite all Baldwin Park residents to join them at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 16, for a guided walk through Baldwin Park’s natural landscapes, spotlighting the use of natives in the urban landscape. Meet at Harbor Park, near the fountain. Please RSVP to [email protected]. For more information on Florida-Friendly Landscaping, visit floridayards.org

May 2012 27 Celebration of Light Stamper. Hydrozoning, grouping and designing the irriga- “Trade -in” Summer Event tion according to water needs was the basic principle for the design. Cameron’sCameron’s Design’s Design NEWNEW program allowsallows clients clients to to “trade-in” “trade-in” theirtheir old old blinds blinds for for a discounta discount towards toward for new new Hunter Hunter Douglas Douglas products products Rain sensors were installed in all clocks to turn off the irriga- includingincluding ourour SUMMER SPECIALSPECIAL onon PlantationPlantation Shutters.Shutters. tion during a rain event. Drip irrigation was installed where appropriate. ValleyCrest has two fulltime irrigation technicians Celebration of Light at Baldwin Park who perform monthly inspections, repairs and clock adjustments. Baldwin Park’s irrigation system is very large, so as mentioned in other articles, we welcome “Trade -in” Summer Event residents’ help reporting broken irrigation. ValleyCrest has installed and is testing, at no charge to Baldwin Park, several Cameron’s Design NEW program allows clients to “trade-in” new high-tech clocks that have soil moisture sensors, take evapotranspiration rate of plants in consideration and water their old blinds for a discount towards for new Hunter Douglas products accordingly. including our SUMMER SPECIAL on Plantation Shutters. Fertilize appropriately ValleyCrest uses 50-percent slow release nitrogen formulas, which means that half of the fertilizer starts working right away and the other half becomes available to the plant gradu- ally according to plant’s needs. This is very important to protect underground waters and prevent unneeded excessive Cameron’s Design growth. 1467-A Lake Baldwin Lane • Orlando, FL 32814 407.893.4999 • Cell 407.733-3727 The fertilizer formulas used also contain no phosphorus to email:email: [email protected] [email protected] promote healthy water bodies, since phosphorus is believed Celebration of Light to promote algae blooms that affect fish populations. All Val- “Trade -in” Summer Event leyCrest crewmembers that apply fertilizer to plant material

Cameron’s Design NEW program allows clients to “trade-in” have to take the Green Industries Best Management Practices their old blinds for a discount towards for new Hunter Douglas products including our SUMMER SPECIAL on Plantation Shutters. training. Miguel Garces, the ValleyCrest account manager, is certified by the State of Florida as an instructor in English and Spanish in an effort to ensure that the water resources within Baldwin Park are protected.

Mulch The use of mulch is very important for the landscape. Mulch prevents weeds, and maintains even temperatures and mois- ture in the soil. There are only three types of approved for use within Baldwin Park: pine bark nuggets, pine needle mulch and brown shredded mulch.

Cameron’s Design 1467-A Lake Baldwin Lane • Orlando, FL 32814 There is no perfect mulch. Pine bark nuggets last longer but 407.893.4999 • Cell 407.733-3727 email: [email protected] float and get displaced with heavy rain events. Pine needle mulch does not float, and it is believed to reduce the pH of soil, but it decomposes and fades quicker than pine bark. Brown mulch does not float as much as pine bark, but it Cameron’s Design doesn’t last as long. The appropriate mulch is selected and used in the different locations at Baldwin Park. 1467-A Lake Baldwin Lane • Orlando, FL 32814 Attract wildlife 407.893.4999 • Cell 407.733-3727 One of the best amenities of Baldwin Park is the amount of email: [email protected] water bodies located throughout the community. These water bodies attract different species of water birds, otters and fish. Some of the ponds have wood duck boxes and nesting platforms for ospreys to nest. In some instances alligators and snakes have been spotted, so always be aware that these are natural areas and approach them with caution.

28 Baldwin Park Living Manage pests responsibly ValleyCrest uses Integrated Pest Management principles when con- trolling pests at Baldwin Park. This means being able to correctly indentify the problems and treat them in a timely manner, and with the most effective and least harmful approach to the environment possible.

Recycle Yard debris is currently collected and taken to a landscape-only re- cycling facility that uses it as mulch or compost. The mowers have mulching kits that shred the clippings and put them back providing nutrients back to the turf areas. The crews mow over landscape debris when possible to recycle it back in to the soils as well.

Reduce stormwater runoff All the ponds at Baldwin Park were designed to collect and filter rainwater. Some of these ponds are connected and equipped with pumps that maintain the appropriate levels using the existing water.

Protect the waterfront All the ponds at Baldwin Park were originally planted with benefi- cial aquatics that provide habitats for fish and birds, filter con- taminants, and prevent and reduce erosion. The ponds are main- tained monthly and mikania vine, cattails, torpedograss and other nuisance weeds as well as algae are treated at that time. ] Miguel Garces by Photo

May 2012 29 Melaleuca Mulch For Sale Melaleuca mulch is an environmentally friendly alternative to cypress mulch that retains water, repels pests, and looks good. For everything wrong with cypress mulch, see FNPS’ Cypress Mulch brochure downloadable from our website under docs.

In contrast to ecologically important cypress, the melaleuca tree is a serious pest species in South Florida. The Army Corp of Engineers sprinkled the seeds around the edges of the Everglades in the early 1920s as a way of drying the then-hated “swamps.” Both through its prolific seeds, which germinate readily, and through vegetative reproduction, melaleuca out competes native vegetation. To eradicate it in and south Florida preserves takes a tremendous expenditure, and efforts must be ongoing.

In case anyone is confused, the Ti tree (a.k.a. tea tree) that is sold as Tea Tree Oil is a different species, Melaleuca alternifolia, and is harvested in its native New South Wales. Our invasive species is Melaleuca have removed this invasive tree from approximately quinquenervia, was introduced from Australia to dry 1600 acres of South Florida. Florimulch is produced up the Everglades. from the heartwood of the tree which avoids the seeds. The mulch is also composted for several The University of Florida discovered that our invasive months, which further ensures that seeds will not melaleuca is resistant to termites and nematodes and germinate. that mulch made from it retains these properties. Several years ago, Albertsons carried Florimulch, but Forestry Resources, Inc. out of Ft. Myers is the sole it is now difficult to buy it outside of southwest manufacturer of melaleuca mulch, which it markets as Florida. Recognizing its value, the Osceola County Florimulch in 2 cubic foot bags. According to their Master Gardeners have secured the distribution website www.gomulch.com, the company’s efforts license for . The Cuplet Fern Chapter has melaleuca mulch available at the price of $3.50 per 1.5 cubic foot bag. To put in your order, email Charles Miller at [email protected]